Masters Notebook: Augusta chairman gets high praise

During his news conference Tuesday, Jack Nicklaus had high praise for current Augusta National chairman Billy Payne.

"The past chairmen were all great. I think they all did a good job, but I think Billy has taken it to another level and trying to take it to another level," Nicklaus said. "He's a very, very forward thinker."

Under Payne's leadership Augusta National has created several programs and events designed to get more young people involved with the game. Its newest program is the Drive, Chip & Putt National Championship that will ultimately give boys and girls from around the country the chance to come to Augusta National Golf Club next April immediately before the Masters.

It is part of the Masters Tournament Foundation's ongoing commitment to help grow the game.

"Our mission here is very simple; to get kids interested, to get them excited and get them motivated to play this great game," Payne said. "For decades, the world's greatest professionals have dreamed of sinking the winning putt on our 18th green. Now that dream will be extended, shared and experienced, by kids here at Augusta National.

"This initiative is only our latest attempt to lend support to the game's advancement by partnering with important golf organizations all over the world. We have promised to lead or to follow; it doesn't matter. Our industry must continue to address the critical issues of the sport's declining participation among youth and we simply want to help."

During his Wednesday State of the Masters address, Payne was asked about the proposed ban of players anchoring putters.

While the Masters and Augusta National wield a lot of clout in the world of golf, Payne reminded the room of reporters that Augusta National is not a governing body.

"We are a golf club that puts on a tournament, so we wouldn't be presumptuous to say that we have that kind of influence," Payne said. "Given the fact that the ruling bodies have not yet declared a decision following that open comment period, I do think it would be inappropriate for us to express an opinion; other than to say, that we hope and believe that they can reach common ground so that golf will continue under one set of rules."

Payne also announced that after having time to look at the new PGA Tour schedule that will now start in the fall, the club has decided to offer a spot in the Masters to all winners of fall series events. Previously winners of those events did not earn a spot in the Masters.

Because the club still wants to keep the Masters field at or under 100 players, they had to make some other changes to accommodate the rule change on fall events.

The top12 finishers from the previous year's Masters, not the top-16, will earn invitations. The top4, no longer the top8, from the U.S. Open, will earn invitations.

And the tournament we will be removing the yearend top30 PGA Tour Money List winners from its qualifications.

BUBBA ACE

Only time will tell if Bubba Watson is able to defend his title, but based on his play Wednesday, he seems ready to go.

Watson aced the par-3 16th hole, which is considered a very challenging for left-handed players.

Watson tweeted out a photo of the ball and club (a 9-iron) after the round.

"It was pretty sweet," Scott Piercy, who was playing with Watson, told ESPN.com. "He flagged it. Kind of gave it the lean, ''o in.' ... Arms in the air, big smile."